Jason McNiff, the Hastings-based troubadour, returns with 10 Blue Songs—a beautifully crafted album that delivers exactly what its title promises, yet reveals itself to be an unexpected celebration of the human spirit. Infused with superb artistry and McNiff's signature, finely picked guitar work, the record dives deep into our collective hang-ups and foibles, finding profound depth in the blues.
The album opens with ‘Mornings Come’, a classic McNiff track driven heavily by his distinctive vocals. Striking a delicate balance between passion and vulnerability, his voice is perfectly tailored for characters who find themselves on the losing edge of life. Here, he spins a dark, undertone-rich tale of a love that never was, thwarted by a narrator unable to form a meaningful connection.
The tempo picks up with ‘Nightshift Blues’, which cleverly features a jazz clarinet as a backing anchor. The song captures the bittersweet reality of a couple working opposing shifts—as she arrives home, he departs. It’s a relatable struggle, but McNiff injects suspense, leaving the narrator to wonder how his partner spends her free evenings when she isn’t alone. In true songwriting fashion, the ultimate truth is left beautifully open to interpretation.
McNiff then steers into classic country territory with an excellent cover of Johnny Cash’s ‘Folsom Prison Blues’. While he lacks Cash’s signature gravelly edge, McNiff replaces it with a compelling, strained vulnerability that makes the incarcerated protagonist feel intensely human. Anchored by exquisite fingerpicking, the track stands out as the clarinet brilliantly mimics the steady chug of a distant train.
Injecting sonic diversity into the record, ‘Whoever I Am’ introduces a much lusher arrangement complete with sweeping strings and rich backing vocals. Carrying a genuinely hopeful message, the track bounces along joyfully as it tells the story of someone finally heading home to a waiting loved one.
As with all great albums, every track on ’10 Blue Songs’ masterfully tethers itself to a central theme, proving that McNiff remains one of the finest musical storytellers working today.